An Honest TaylorMade M4 Driver Review [2023 Edition]

The year 2018, shortly after its release, was the first time I tested M4’s driver.

TaylorMade has successfully launched many drivers since then so I thought it would fun to revisit the range and compare it with a newer model. I’ve written a TaylorMadeM4 driver review here. This will help you determine if it is still a strong contender.

After introducing you to the features and performance of this driver, I will assess how it compares to the manufacturer’s latest releases. The analysis will also help you decide if TaylorMade’s M4 driver is right for your swing.

For readers looking for a quick summary, here are the highlights/lowlights:

 

Quick Overview of the TaylorMade M4 driver

Features

Twist Face Technology

The M4’s new twist face technology is the first thing that stands out. It was actually new in 2018. The new face curvature created a corrective angle to counter off-center strikes.

This means that a high-toed strike increases the loft of your shot. If the clubface catches it off the low heel, it will reduce the apex. This is done to ensure consistent spin on all drives.

The twist face technology helps you get your ball to the air, and it resists side spin on heel, toe, and heel mishits. You can therefore produce straighter shots and a better fairway record.

Excessive side spin off the clubface causes hooks or slices, which are the fastest ways to ruin your hole before you even start.

Speed Pocket

When we miss the center of the driver’s face, we reduce the coefficient of restitution (COR), which slows down our ball speed. A loss in velocity can lead to a weaker launch, and a loss in distance.

Fortunately, TaylorMade’s engineers employed Speed Pocket technology to boost speed on all shots. You will enjoy consistent ball flight and distance across all connections.

Speed pocket technology works best when the ball is caught low to the face. It kicks in and accelerates your ball speed to get optimal yardage. Without this technology, your driver will not deliver sufficient spin and velocity to produce adequate yardage.

Hammerhead Slot

A hammerhead slot is inserted into the driver’s sole to support the outer portions of the slot. This reduces the weight and allows for a more flexible face during impact. This is especially useful for off-center hits where you need to have enough distance off the tee.

TaylorMade’s M4 driver is more flexible, which increases forgiveness. The wider sweet spot provides ample ball speed across your face, ensuring consistent distance off of the tee.

Geocoustic technology

Geocoustic technology uses sole shaping techniques to produce superior sound and feel at impact. You will enjoy the acoustics of the clubface and the satisfaction of hitting the ball on every tee shot.

TaylorMade also added a contoured sole contour construction to its head, which freed up weight in the clubhead. Engineers were able to create a more flexible clubface and a sweet spot. This resulted in maximum forgiveness.

Adjustable Hosel

The M4 driver comes with an adjustable hosel. This allows golfers the ability to alter their loft by adjusting it by 2 degrees. You can also adjust the angle of the clubface.

For example, increasing the loft by 2 degrees can increase your clubface by 4 degrees. This allows your driver to deliver a fade bias. The club face is closed by 4 degrees if the loft is lowered by 2 degrees. This places the driver in a draw bias.

The loft can also impact the backspin RPM at impact. You can increase your backspin by 400 RPM by weakening the loft by just 2 degrees. This setup is great for slower swingers who prefer a higher launch.

On the contrary, strengthening the loft helps you deliver a low spin off the driver’s face for maximum distance.

You will need a wrench to loosen the screws at the sole of the loft. Rotate counterclockwise to loosen the screws. Then slip the shaft’s head. Turn the hosel until you achieve your desired loft.

For a visual representation, you can watch the video below from Golfbidder:

Lofts

TaylorMade makes the M4 driver in three key loft settings. The 9.5-degree lofted design has the lowest loft, followed by the 10.5 degree construction. Golfers with slow driver swing speeds should appreciate the 12-degree driver.

Shafts

Fujikura Atmos Red 5 is the only stock shaft on the M4. Fujikura made this shaft in stiff, regular and senior flex. These shafts are for golfers who have a fast, average, or slow clubhead speed.

Performance

Price

The M4 is a great choice for older drivers. Its price has fallen by $200 to $300, making the M4 far more appealing for the average golfer than the TaylorMade premium drivers.

Feel and hear

Geocoustic technology makes a powerful, deafening impact sound. It produces exactly the sound you would expect from your driver when it hits the sweet spot. It also has a soft feel, as it drowns out vibrations from off-center strikes.

Spin

My driver and me average 2100 RPM backspin. I averaged 100 mph slower than that when I tested the M4, clocking in around 2000 RPM. This level is satisfactory and what I expect from my big stick.

Forgiveness

The M4 offers exceptional forgiveness all around, from accelerating ball speed with off-center strikes to minimizing spin. This support allows you to achieve optimal distance and accuracy.

Distance

TaylorMade designed the M4 to increase ball speed and reduce spin. The M4 was 274 yards faster than my average driving distance of 270 yards. It travels slightly farther than my regular driver.

 

What I like about the TaylorMade Model 4

Sound

The TaylorMadeM4 makes a loud, explosive sound when it is off the clubface. This will alert your friends that there is a bomb on the fairway. Geocoustic technology enabled the engineers to develop advanced sole shaping techniques. This clubhead is designed to produce the best sound and feel upon impact.

Forgiveness

TaylorMade’s M4 driver is known for its ability to forgive. A flexible clubface and an expanded sweet spot with hammerhead slots ensure a forgiving driver.

Its flexible face springs into a ball at impact and accelerates velocity. This results in a ball that can fly extremely far and is very high-launching. Even if you strike the ball far off the face.

Additionally, the face curvature construction reduces spin caused by off center strikes. This reduces the chance of you slicing or hooking your drive.

Low Spin

Low spin off your tee allows you to produce powerful ball flight and prompt the best forward roll upon landing. Excessive spin causes me to balloon my drives and reduce my distance. The ball shoots up into the air, then descends quickly before abruptly stopping.

The beauty of the M4’s adjustable hosel is its versatility. You can increase the loft of your driver continuously to reduce backspin RPM.

Adjustable Hosel

TaylorMade’s adjustable hosel allows you to tweak the loft, angle, or clubface by TaylorMade. If you are generating excess backspin RPM you can strengthen your driver’s loft to reduce spin. To encourage more backspin RPM, you can also weaken the loft.

The hosel can also alter the angle of the face. You can set up your club to cause a draw, or a fade. The adjustable hosel can be used to strengthen your loft and make your club face ready for a fade shape.

However, if you weaken the loft, it can reduce the club’s face by up to four degrees. This encourages the club to draw.

This feature is great for high and mid handicappers who still need to identify the right composition for their swings.

 

What I Hate About The TaylorMade Ma4

Shaft Options

There’s nothing to dislike about the TaylorMade driver M4 It’s easy to use, has great feel, and can travel a long distance on all strikes. They can be skinned on stock shaft options. Only one brand of stock shaft is available.

I would like them more stock shafts that cater for every swing speed and tempo.

 

Overall Rating and Thoughts

The TaylorMade M4 driver is exceptional. It is still relevant, even though it is a few decades older than the equipment giant’s newer models. Like the TaylorMade drivers, M4 is very forgiving, reduces spinning, and generates high ball speed.

It gives the average golfer all they need off the fairway. It is also a fraction of the price it was released at. The TaylorMade M4 driver is a long, flexible, and forgiving driver.

Overall Rating: 95/100

 

Related Reading: Since they are a highly reputable manufacturer, TaylorMade’s golf clubs are not found in the bargain bin. If price is your main concern, there are other options. Find your ideal big stick among our 10 best drivers under $200.